James Van Der Beek Remembered: ‘Heaven Gained Something Extraordinary,’ Says Stacy Keibler
From Dawson’s Creek to fatherhood: James Van Der Beek’s lasting friendships and family bonds
The world fell head over heels for James Van Der Beek as Dawson Leery in the 90s drama series, Dawson’s Creek alongside actors like Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson. It wasn’t long before he was stealing hearts on the big screen in films such as Varsity Blues (1999) and more recently, Sidelined: The QB and Me (2024).
But it is more than his acting career that James Van Der Beek will be remembered for, as the actor leaves behind his wife of nearly 15 years, six children and many friends. His family was by his side throughout his battle with colorectal cancer and he will be missed dearly by all of those he touched.
Meet James Van Der Beek’s lifelong friends and family.
James Van Der Beek’s lasting friendships
One of Van Der Beek’s close friends was WWE star Stacy Keibler. The two first crossed paths in the height of his Dawson’s Creek fame, and she shared a touching message for her longtime friend after his passing.
“Spending these final days with you has been a true gift from God,” she wrote. “We may have lost a good one here on earth…but heaven gained something extraordinary. I will think of you every time I watch a sunset. Every time I see a rainbow stretch across the sky. I’ll know you’re there.”
The actor spent his final days with Keibler and his family. Throughout their decades of friendship, the two supported each other’s Hollywood ventures and their family lives. In fact, both starred on Dancing with the Stars: Keibler in Season 2 and Van Der Beek in Season 28.
Former co-stars also shared their memories of Van Der Beek, from Katie Holmes to Noah Beck. Holmes wrote, “I formed some words with a heavy heart. This is a lot to process. I am so grateful to have shared a piece of James’ journey.”
Others who have opened up about their time with Van Der Beek include Sarah Michelle Gellar, Chad Michael Murray, Austin Nichols, Busy Philipps and so many more.
James and Kimberly met in 2009
The Dawson’s Creek star met his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek in a twist of fate. Just after the end of his first marriage to actress Heather McComb, Van Der realized that he wanted a real relationship while on a trip to Israel. He recalled the memory in an Instagram post for he and his wife’s 10th anniversary.
“I was done being single,” Van Der Beek wrote. “I wanted a real relationship. A soul mate. Someone with whom I could build a family. I was mid-revelation, rattling all this off to a friend of mine when a voice interrupted us, wanting to ask him a question. I was annoyed. Who the hell was stepping all over my moment? I turned around… it was Kimberly.”
Despite Kimberly’s declaration that she wasn’t looking for a relationship, the two ended up in one, and six months later, they were living together with their first baby on the way. Just about a year after they first locked eyes, James and Kimberly tied the knot. The couple went back to where they first met, Tel Aviv, Israel, to exchange vows.
The couple welcomed 6 children
Throughout their 15 years together, James and Kimberly became proud parents. Their first child, daughter Olivia, was born on September 25, 2010. Her name came from a special olive tree in Israel the couple spent time under during their first meeting.
Less than two years later, the couple welcomed their first son, Joshua, on March 23, 2012. In a birthday post for Joshua’s 13th birthday, Van Der Beek wrote, “No one has taught me more about the kind of man I want to be more than you.”
Their third child, daughter Annabel, was born on January 25, 2014, followed by daughter Emilia, on March 23, 2016, daughter Gwendolyn, on June 15, 2018 and their sixth child, Jeremiah, in October 2021.
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